The Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated a probe into serious allegations that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited failed to address an oil spill that severely ravaged the B-Dere community in the Gokana Local Government Area.

This legislative action follows a petition submitted by the community through its Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Hamilton Odom & Co.

The petition, signed by Hamilton Odom, was formally presented on the floor of the House by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol.

Subsequently, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, referred the petition to the Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions, which is chaired by Hon. Dr. Enemi Alabo George.

According to the petition, an oil spill occurred on May 7, 2025, along the 24 Ogale–Bomu pipeline traversing B-Dere.

A joint investigation carried out by the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, and representatives of the community confirmed that the leak was definitively caused by equipment failure.

The petition noted that the spill severely damaged vegetation, causing stress, defoliation, and plant death. It specified the damage, reporting that toxic hydrocarbons reportedly penetrated plant tissues, impairing water and nutrient uptake, which led to stunted growth, widespread mortality, and hindered regeneration—especially among young plants and seedlings.

The petition further highlighted that the spill contaminated underground water, disrupted farming and other economic activities, and inflicted psychological stress on residents whose livelihoods had been affected.

Despite these significant impacts, the community alleged that Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has neither commenced clean-up efforts nor paid any compensation.

They also expressed grave concern over what they described as the company’s “indifference and silence” following an initial meeting that ended in a deadlock over compensation.

The petitioners urged the Assembly to treat the matter with urgency, insisting that the company should bear full responsibility for the spill, given that it resulted from equipment failure.

They asked lawmakers to compel the company to account for the environmental damage, immediately assess and compensate victims for economic losses and livelihood disruptions, and undertake comprehensive clean-up, remediation, and restoration of the affected land and water sources.

Receiving the petition, Committee Chairman Dr. Enemi Alabo George assured the community that the matter would receive prompt attention.